“A boat is sinking.”
It and 8:48 p.m., this Thursday, when the alert resounds on the airwaves of maritime rescue. THE Forever You, a luxurious 55-meter long yacht, is in a bad position off Beaulieu-sur-mer. A waterway has opened. The waves invade the rear of the ship, putting its balance in danger.
Two big hours later, the yacht is stabilized, then accompanied to a safe place in Monaco. Its passengers are unharmed. Story of an atypical rescue operation.
Distress call
It was at the port of Nice that the Levante DF 33 received the alert on Thursday evening. The customs launch, 33 meters long, is heading for Beaulieu with the coastguards. THE Forever You is in trouble six hundred meters off Baie des Fourmis. “They called the CrossMed for help. The means on board could not manage. There are pumps on board the ship, but they are not powerful enough”testifies the National Coast Guard Customs Directorate.
Stability under threat
The damage would be due to a mechanical problem. tearing off a jack at the back of the boat. Result: “A big waterway” And “difficulties at the level of the rudder”notes the communications officer of the coast guard. “The water has infiltrated through this space. You can therefore have serious problems with the stability of the boat. It could have sunk in the space of two hours…”
luxury unit
THE Forever You is not, however, the first tub to come. Rather a very beautiful unit of 55 meters, built in 2014, with two upper decks and a sumptuous interior designed by the Italian Massari Design. Count at least 300,000 euros per week to rent this beautiful baby, capable of accommodating ten passengers in its five cabins. Thursday evening, they are four on board, accompanied by thirteen crew members. “They were ready to evacuate, with the life jackets. But it was not necessary”relates the customs correspondent.
Pumps in action
Reinforcements are coming. Ten firefighters from SDIS 06 and rescuers from the Nice SNSM operate their motor pump. But they are still struggling to absorb these invading waves. It will take that of the Levante “to evacuate enough water” and stabilize the boat. Around 11 p.m., the fireboat Jean-Giraud II of the SDIS arrives from Antibes, and provides a decisive relay.
calm the spirits
The arrival of reinforcements saved the Forever Youbut also relieved his spirits. “It was panic. The firefighters calmed everyone down a bit. And when a big boat arrives, people are reassured”, observes the spokesman for the coast guard. supported by its guardian angels, the yacht can thus reach Port Hercule in Monaco, independently. It is taken care of by specialized nautical services.
“Reacted well”
Conclusion: some cold sweats, but “The available services reacted well. They quickly came to the rescue. Fortunately, we had equipment large enough to “spread the waterway””, blow the coast guard. If interventions are not rare in summer, it is not every day that a yacht of this size avoids having a drink. The major risks for a ship: collision, fire or flooding. This will have mobilized the customs officers until dawn.
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